Strain Theory

Stemming from the fields of sociology and criminology, the strain theory seeks to explain the relationship between social structures and values and crime. The theory argues that the set up of society causes strain to citizens which encourages deviance and causes people to commit crimes. Strain leads to negative emotions such as frustration and anger and crime is often seen as a possible response. Crime may be used to escape from strain or seek revenge from sources of strain. The strain theory applies to many ideas of crime and deviance including corporate crime, police deviance, and terrorism.

The theory suggests that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve societally created goals like the American dream. Additionally, success is often valued more for its outcome than the means by which it is achieved leading to an increase in convenient and efficient methods over ethical methods. In society, there is now a greater than ever emphasis on conspicuous consumption and material success and therefore there are deeper feelings of deprivation by the lower class. Social structures are inherently inadequate and when legitimate means of attaining success are not readily available but when the same high standard of success is pushed for everyone, that leads to strain. For example, people resort to selling drugs for financial security.